La. DE is Living in A Dream

Don Hoekwater

05/14/2004

Since taking up football in high school, this talented Louisiana defensive lineman is living an experience he never dreamed possible. Division 1 programs from around the country have come by to visit, including Michigan.

"Man, this is like a dream for me, I never though it would be like this," Alonzo Horton said. "I'm just enjoying it a lot. People are telling me I'm in a great position but I just don't feel it yet. I didn't start playing football until my freshman year of high school. Our basketball coach said we didn't have a football team, but then the football coach walked into the gym one day and asked me to come out and play so I was pretty surprised, but it's been great."

The soft-spoken defensive end from Abramson High School in New Orleans, La. has been a quick study. He plays both linebacker and on the line and said he would like to do the same in college. At 6 foot 3, 215 pounds he'll need to gain some weight in order to play down. During his junior season he had 23 sacks and 106 tackles, five blocked kicks and two forced fumbles. "We didn't get to the playoffs, though," he said. "I want to help the team win something this year."

Horton reports offers from Southern Mississippi, Michigan State, Auburn, and Oklahoma. "I might get an offer from Tennessee," he said.

He's had visitors since the spring evaluation period began, including Michigan, Tennessee, Florida State, a few other schools. "All of those schools have called, too," he said. "My favorite schools right now are LSU, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State and Georgia."

Horton attended the TheInsiders/MSL Combine in New Orleans earlier this year and told TheInsiders shortly after that if LSU offered he'd probably commit. "My grandmother wants me to stay close," he said. "But there really isn't any pressure to stay home. I'm not sure when I'll decide, really." Horton does have a Michigan connection. "I have an aunt that lives in Detroit," he said. "We're planning on going up to visit this summer." Horton also said he would like to attend camp at Michigan, "If I can get a plane ticket." He said he'll attend camps at Aurburn and Tennessee.

For his official visits, Horton said he's like to trip to, "Michigan, Miami, a California school like UCLA, and Tennesse," he said. "I'd like to visit Hawaii but they haven't offered yet."

Horton's Stats: 4.6, 4.5 shuttle, 17 reps. 2.25 GPA, 16 ACT. He said he wants to major in Criminal Justice.